New Castle cheaper than Sam Adams, WTF?

[luke2080]

and in regards to you guys talking about their facilities - I believe they just signed on to build a huge new facility on PA. They wanted to do it around Boston, but were getting killed on the taxes. Obviously a big lose for MA jobs. I think that is final, I'll have to dig up that article.

 

[RMitch]

and in regards to you guys talking about their facilities - I believe they just signed on to build a huge new facility on PA. They wanted to do it around Boston, but were getting killed on the taxes. Obviously a big lose for MA jobs. I think that is final, I'll have to dig up that article.

But...but...high business taxes and a pro-union environment are supposed to keep jobs here! I'm confused.


<sarcasm> :cross:

 

[NordeastBrewer77]

FYI, Latitude 48 is an IPA, not a PA. The name itself is a reference to the location of the hops used.

Obviously, the name refers to hops grown in the 48th parallel. And, again, as the name suggests, it's an ipa, or India Pale Ale. Not sure how a pale ale isn't a pale ale, whether it's English, American, or of the variety formerly exported to India.

Either way, IMO, it was a bad beer. A very mediocre representation of the style.

 

[RMitch]

Typically when one refers to a "pale ale", they're referring to a much different type of beer than an "india pale ale".

I agree that its not the greatest IPA out there. I prefer the deconstructed version with Ahtanum hops. Now THAT is a quality IPA.

 

[NordeastBrewer77]

I was just generically using 'pale ale'.

Haven't tried the ahtanum hop version. I'm admittedly not very exited about seeking out their offerings. If I came across something like that on tap, or in singles, I'd definitely go for it. But I'm not very likely going to buy a 6er or a sampler of beer I know from experience is likely to sit in my fridge until my sister-in-law comes over next.

 

[madbaldman]

I prefer the deconstructed version with Ahtanum hops. Now THAT is a quality IPA.

I also like the East Kent Goldings, that was very good too. In general I like the Latitude 48 Deconstructed. It's not very forward with the aroma hops and relies more on a balance of malt and bittering hops. Not at all whats common in today's hop loaded IPA/DIPA/IIPA continuum. Maybe that's why I like it.

Also, I saw New Castle for $10+change /12pk at the store today. I wish I liked it better.

 

[RMitch]

I wasn't a fan of the KG. A little too bitter, not enough sweet, for me.

 

[ArcaneXor]

NewCastle is best on tap. I thoroughly enjoy 22 oz draft beers of NC.

Sam Adams is quietly becoming the next BMC. Obvoiusly no where near that scale, but whenever an event wants a "nice" beer, Sams is the choice they stock up on. Its the - everyone recognizes and likes it, they have a Lager, a Light, and Seasonal choice - beer.

I've noticed their prices jump the past two years. I usually get 6ers of the Blackberry, Cherry Wheat, and other ones, but its gotten too expensive so I buy other nice craft beers at equal or lesser value. (Except the god awful Summer, and I am apparnetly the only one sad the White was replaced by Noble Pils, and the White is only an occasional release in 6 packs now)

You lost all credibility when you said you liked their cough syrup, erm, Cherry Wheat.

 

[Germelli1]

You lost all credibility when you said you liked their cough syrup, erm, Cherry Wheat.

hahaha I thought the same exact thing!

 

[C-Rider]

I rather like NewCastle. I don't care a whole lot for Sam Adams (at least none of the ones I've tried). I was also surprised to notice that NC was less expensive at my local grocery -was looking at what was involved in brewing a clone of NC (wouldn't mind having it on tap) -picked up BYOs commercial clone book and learned that NC was actually a blending of an aged beer and a 'fresh' one Bit of extra work to get to the bottle, it seems. I DO wish it didn't come in clear bottles (whats up with THAT?!?) -consequently I only put beer in THOSE bottles when I'm giving beer to friends who have a nasty habit of either not returning my bottles (the brown glass, anyway or even worse -they don't bother to rinse the things out after emptying them -mold! ugh!! (and here in Florida, it doesn't take long for nasties to grow in beer residue -heat, humidity and more crap floating in the air than I care to think of)

Like you, I'd rather have a New Castle than just about any Sam Adams. Just don't like his brews at all.

 

[watersr]

I can take or leave an SA. Better then BMC and easy to find on draft. But when it got to being as pricey as some really quality beers out there it became a lot more leaving it. As far as NC, I like it ok on tap, but have been scared off the bottles by some poorly handled examples.

 

[Vance71975]

I'm in a suburb of Chicago and got stuck going to a Food 4 Less to grab some beers. To my surprise a 12 piece of New Castle was $2.00 less than a 12 piece of Sam. Can you belive this?

Maybe its just me but seems odd that a beer that comes from England is less than a beer made just a few hundred miles from me. I'm not mad just surprised.


This is my 1000th post! First 5 people to message me will get 10% off their next order.

Cheers!

Does seem Odd, Cool but Odd, i love me some newcastle tho so i would be happy!

 

[C-Rider]

Newcastle's a good beer, as long as ya don't buy a skunked clear bottle. But it in closed 12ers, cans or better yet, have it on tap. IMO, SA has really slipped in quality, down to that of near macro levels, while continuing to sell their beer at craft brew prices. I stopped buying their beer after trying latitude 48... A very mediocre pale ale that, to my pallatte, tasted like pretty much all of SA's lighter offerings, adjunct-y and oxidized.

I bought a case of SA mix 4 each of six brews because I wanted to taste a Sasson and a Kolch. The Kolch was ok, the Sasson sucked (along w/my spelling) I don't like their lager or the lite. I'm not a "hoppy" guy so didn't like the IPA either. Was a waste of money just to try something new.

 

[Vance71975]

I bought a case of SA mix 4 each of six brews because I wanted to taste a Sasson and a Kolch. The Kolch was ok, the Sasson sucked (along w/my spelling) I don't like their lager or the lite. I'm not a "hoppy" guy so didn't like the IPA either. Was a waste of money just to try something new.

Try their black lager it is AMAZING!

 

[C-Rider]

But...but...high business taxes and a pro-union environment are supposed to keep jobs here! I'm confused.


<sarcasm> :cross:

Let's not get into politics. It might get bloody! LOL Let's just have a cold one, or two.

 

[C-Rider]

But...but...high business taxes and a pro-union environment are supposed to keep jobs here! I'm confused.


<sarcasm> :cross:

Let's not get into politics. It might get bloody! LOL Let's just have a cold one, or two.

 

[Steelers77]

Try their black lager it is AMAZING!

My buddy who is not the biggest craft beer drinker ran up to me when I was back in Pittsburgh to tell me that same exact thing. I thought it was cool that a BMC drinker found something better that he loved.


I did not realize this was going to become a referendum on the quality of either one of these beers/companies, but i gotta say I love the banter!

I have to say I am a fan of NC, it was one of the first non BMC beers that I drank and fell in love with. It has seem to change over the year (most likely my palate has changed) but still a respectable beer in my opinion.
Sam is all over the place; I honestly believe they have too many beers in their lineup and have gotten so caught up in being the only billion dollar “micro” brewery that all of their beers have suffered. They still have a few things I like but over I’m more apt to pass on any of their selections hence the basis for this thread.

 

[erikhild59]

eh...you should try nc summer ale and nc werewolf, their new seasonal releases....like licking the grundle of a wet dog...something about their beers i just ain't jivin' with.

grundle!

 

[Risingsun]

Yeah it's gotta be a supply and demand thing. Even the SA knockoffs like Costco's Kirkland brang "craft ales" get me salivating more than New Castle. Not sure what the appeal of New Castle is at all other than foriegn beer. Maybe I need to try it warm or something.

those weren't half bad. My father gave me a case (a sampler of 4), pretty tastey brew and 24 new bottles for me.

New Castle is owned by one of the big breweries these days so it being cheaper does not surprise me.

 

[Vance71975]

My buddy who is not the biggest craft beer drinker ran up to me when I was back in Pittsburgh to tell me that same exact thing. I thought it was cool that a BMC drinker found something better that he loved.


I did not realize this was going to become a referendum on the quality of either one of these beers/companies, but i gotta say I love the banter!

I have to say I am a fan of NC, it was one of the first non BMC beers that I drank and fell in love with. It has seem to change over the year (most likely my palate has changed) but still a respectable beer in my opinion.
Sam is all over the place; I honestly believe they have too many beers in their lineup and have gotten so caught up in being the only billion dollar “micro” brewery that all of their beers have suffered. They still have a few things I like but over I’m more apt to pass on any of their selections hence the basis for this thread.

Oh i completely agree, the only beers from them i have found that i like IS the black lager and the fruit beers(yes i am a guy,Yes i like fruit beers, to any one that has a problem with that i say dont knock it till you try it). As a whole tho i look at Sam Adams as one step above BMC, the only thing they seem to still have going for them is that they dont do the unethical practices of the big boys.

 

[rycov]

i don't have a problem with fruit beers, but they're cherry wheat tastes like cough syrup

 

[erikhild59]

I think Sam Adams quality has diminished over the last couple years. Seems like they all taste like the same beer with different additives for flavor.I still like their Summer Ale on draught though. Maybe it just my changing taste? Still, better than bmc....

 

[doctorRobert]

I think Sam Adams quality has diminished over the last couple years. Seems like they all taste like the same beer with different additives for flavor.I still like their Summer Ale on draught though. Maybe it just my changing taste? Still, better than bmc....

Sam Summer, this years, is probably the worst beer I've ever had.I truly can't think of a worst beer except maybe coors light or nattie.

I'd take an old fashion Bud over that any day.

 

[ArcaneXor]

I bought a case of SA mix 4 each of six brews because I wanted to taste a Sasson and a Kolch. The Kolch was ok, the Sasson sucked (along w/my spelling) I don't like their lager or the lite. I'm not a "hoppy" guy so didn't like the IPA either. Was a waste of money just to try something new.

Whatever they call it, it's no more a Koelsch than Shiner Bock is a bock. I wouldn't mind if the TTB cracked down on these false advertising practices eventually.

 

[erikhild59]

Just out of curiosity, was it a draught or bottle? And where are you located in relation to boston?

 

[doctorRobert]

Whatever they call it, it's no more a Koelsch than Shiner Bock is a bock. I wouldn't mind if the TTB cracked down on these false advertising practices eventually.

I hope not, last thing this country needs is a mini-police telling us what we can label our beers ala europe.

 

[doctorRobert]

Just out of curiosity, was it a draught or bottle? And where are you located in relation to boston?

Bottle. Live about 25 miles outside Boston, work in Boston. I'm actually going to the brewery monday night for an event.

 

[erikhild59]

Well I guess its probably not a freshness issue then. I will say that there is a marked difference between bottled and kegged. I pretty much only drink it on tap anymore. Kind of a sad thing.

 

[makomachine]

Sam Summer, this years, is probably the worst beer I've ever had.I truly can't think of a worst beer except maybe coors light or nattie.

I'd take an old fashion Bud over that any day.

Probably the worst beer you've ever had? If that's the case, you need to try harder as there are an ass-ton of beers on my local liquor store shelves that trump it in the worst category. It's a nothing special beer- not a spit it out and rinse your mouth beer.

 

[luke2080]

You lost all credibility when you said you liked their cough syrup, erm, Cherry Wheat.

I can't drink more then two at a time, but I used to like having them around and having 1 or 2. (Haven't had them in a while though)

The blackberry replaced the cherry wheat in my "don't look at me wearing a skirt" type of beer to have now and then.